Comments on: Mighty Edu

By: Sean Creighton

Sean Creighton — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:12:24 +0000

Everyone, thanks for the replies and adding to the convo. David, for sure, let’s chat. I think the comments by all have already suggested a few more chapters, regarding the impact of online delivery on access and opportunity (lfe section) and the trend toward growing the urban presence (economic section). Both points address community to a degree as well – formation of the “online learning community” and the results of “campus-community partnerships” when a campus expands downtown. I’m interested, as well, in the economic impact that a large student housing population has on a downtown. While a transitory group, you would see campus housing expansion as a welcomed asset in cities that are struggling to keep their younger population and, essentially, talent.

By: Campus Entrepreneurship

Campus Entrepreneurship — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:12:38 +0000

Sean — sounds like a great book. As you may or may not remember, I am investigating the attributes of the ‘modern’ US research university as part of my dissertation. Would love to collaborate on this project….

All — yes, i think the movement to downtown cores is a pretty clear trend, and as pointed out, many universities/colleges are use satellite campuses to extend their reach. I think it is pure economics — that is where the ‘customers’ are (urban center); especially in an age of exec ed, continuing ed, etc..

By: Paul Cornies

Paul Cornies — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:11:08 +0000

In Windsor Ontario St. Clair College now has a presence downtown in the city core. Their creative arts program is there and it is providing some much needed revitalization.

I see with Wendy hubs or satellite campuses springing up in districts and community areas. Of course, the ubiquitous computer will tie them altogether and with the world.

By: CR

CR — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:20:15 +0000

But is the nature of higher education changing? With advances in technology will students need to go to campus to take classes? Will that impact the need for a large physical campus?

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:11:03 +0000

One shift I’ve noticed in Canada is toward a bigger “downtown” presence for universities. Toronto has always had the U of T adjacent to the financial core, but I’ve now detected much more “reaching out” toward the non-academic sectors just a few blocks away.

Vancouver’s two big universities have added satellite campuses downtown — this allows much more mingling between the “two solitudes” of academics and non. There’s a long way to go, and the academic community, I think, needs to welcome more input and feedback from the non-academic sectors (right now it’s more one-way of academic speakers reaching a non-academic audience, but speaking “at” them). But it’s a start.

Do you see a trend toward this in the US?